Following the launch of the Federal Express Entry Immigration system many Canadian provinces have announced their individual immigration routes that integrate with the federal program.

Starting January this year, Canada launched the Express Entry system as a new way of attracting skilled immigrants into the country. Interested applicants have been invited to create their online profiles, expressing their interest in migrating to Canada. A point-based system then ranks the applicants, after which the government sends the top scorers an invitation to apply.

The Express Entry system allows provinces to establish their individual selection criteria and procedures, clearing which permanent residency is granted to applicants by the Canadian government. The provincial immigration schemes have integrated with the federal application procedure so the application usually needs to be made at only one place, though there are exceptions. Applicants receiving a provincial nomination earn an extra 600 points which greatly increases their chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Nova Scotia

The immigration route offered by Nova Scotia allows applicants to either apply directly through the provincial program or through the federal Express Entry system.

Nova Scotia will accept a total of 350 applications. Applicants are required to score a minimum of 67 points (out of 100) under their point-based scoring system in order to be eligible for application. Points are awarded under factors including language skills, age, education and work experience.

In addition, to qualify an applicant must have a minimum of one year work experience in one of the 29 occupations listed under the provincial program. Most occupations fall in the healthcare, finance, engineering and computer industries.

British Columbia

British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) now has another new stream known as Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC), under which 1,350 additional applicants can be nominated by the province for permanent residence in Canada.

Applicants interested in settling down in British Columbia will have to apply under both federal Express Entry as well as the provincial program EEBC. To qualify under Express Entry, the candidate must be eligible under one the following immigration streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

After clearing the Express Entry eligibility criteria, the candidate can apply under EEBC under one of the following streams: International Postgraduates, International Graduates, and Skilled Workers.

Candidates holding a Masters degree or a doctorate in the sciences (received within past two years) from one of the eligible programs at a British Columbia post-secondary institution can apply using the Individual Post Graduate stream. Whereas the International graduates stream is for those who have graduated from a Canadian college or university in the past two years.

Finally, the Skilled Worker stream allows candidates to submit an application who have work experience in a skilled occupation along with post-secondary education or training. Applications under this stream are only received from those candidates who have a permanent and full-time permanent employment offer in a skilled occupation from an employer in British Columbia. Applicants with a job offer from employers in occupations requiring compulsory licensing or certification must prove that they meet the provincial requirements for their specific occupation.

Interested candidates who currently do not have a job offer can also submit an application under EEBC provided they have completed their education in the province.

The provincial program of Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to accept applications from candidates with an existing job offer in the province. The application process will be integrated with the Express Entry, and more details about the provincial program will be announced shortly.

The two streams offered by Newfoundland and Labrador are: Skilled Workers and International Graduate. To make an application using the Skilled Worker category, the candidate should hold an offer of employment from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador. Candidates already holding jobs or offers of employment that offer adequate compensation in salary and benefits as required by the provincial employment standards can also apply under this category.

Candidates can also apply under the International Graduates stream if they have completed at least half of their total education in Canadian schools and have a graduate degree from a qualifying publicly-funded university or college in Canada.

Interested applicants must first submit their application under one of the three federal immigration programs, and thereafter an application to the provincial program can be made. A nomination from the province will add 600 points to the candidate’s score, greatly increasing the chances for an invitation to apply.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s provincial program is accepting up to 775 applications from candidates who do not have an existing offer of employment. As with other provincial programs, interested candidates must first register through the Express Entry application system under one of the three federal immigration programs.

The provincial program of Saskatchewan requires candidates to earn at least 60 points in their point-based assessment where applicants are scored on work experience, education and training, age, language skills, and connections in the province’s labor market. If an applicant is nominated by the province, s/he earns a bonus 600 points, leading to an invitation to apply.